Del Mar: Sirocco Strike eyes Santa Anita

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DEL MAR, Calif. - Sirocco Strike is finished for the meeting after being placed first in an eventful running of the $100,690 Green Flash Handicap for turf sprinters on Wednesday.

Trainer Jeff Mullins said Thursday that Sirocco Strike will not start again until the Santa Anita autumn meeting, which begins Sept. 27. Races at a mile and turf sprints will be considered for the 6-year-old gelding.

Last year at this time, Mullins and owner Truline Racing were unable to make plans for Sirocco Strike, who emerged from a third in the Green Flash Handicap with a bone chip in a knee. He did not resume racing until April.

“He’s starting to come back into his own,” Mullins said.

In the Green Flash, Sirocco Strike finished second by a neck to Distinctiv Passion, who was disqualified and placed third for bumping with Strong Wind in the final strides. Strong Wind finished a head behind Sirocco Strike and was placed second.

The decision to disqualify Distinctiv Passion left his trainer, Jeff Bonde, furious. Bonde said the 3-year-old emerged from the race without mishap and will be pointed for the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes over six furlongs at Parx Racing at Philadelphia Park on Sept. 21.

“He’s fine, but my pocketbook is hurting,” Bonde said. “He’s better on dirt than grass anyway.”

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

Distinctiv Passion was ridden by Edwin Maldonado, who was given a three-day suspension by track stewards for the disqualification. The suspension runs from Aug. 21-23.